Marketplace for Monday, Jan. 12, 2009

Hundreds of thousands of people need help with food and rent and medical bills. Social workers often help provide resources. But a growing number want to tackle money issues as well. Reporter Cathy Duchamp looks into the idea of financial social work.

Despite the economy, automakers are coming forward with new products at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Host Tess Vigeland talks with The New York Times' Micheline Maynard about how environmental concerns are showing up in the cars on display.

Several British banks are under investigation for helping customers in countries like Iran, Libya and Sudan get around U.S. trade sanctions. Marketplace's Europe Bureau Chief Stephen Beard explains to Tess Vigeland.

Citigroup is expected to announce a merger of its famous Smith Barney brokerage with Morgan Stanley. But what's Morgan Stanley getting out of the deal? And where's it getting the money to buy Smith Barney? From taxpayers? Sarah Gardner reports.

Two bills making their way through the House and Senate would empower federal bankruptcy court judges to rework the terms of mortgages headed into foreclosure. Lenders have opposed such bills. But these two are gaining momentum. Steve Henn reports.

President-elect Obama has asked President Bush to request that Congress release the second half of the federal bailout money -- $350 billion. But to get some of it, banks will have to jump through a few more hoops. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

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